Long Story

Lexus, Infiniti and Acura took full advantage of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) to unveil sporty stunners intended to shake up their corporate images. All three automakers took great pains to illustrate the performance capabilities of their vehicles, underscoring their new speedy, agile and action-oriented focus.

First was Infiniti, who lifted the sheet on its Q60 Coupe yesterday —the successor to Infiniti’s wildly popular G35 and G37 coupes. The Q60 features an all-new 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine dubbed the VR30, generating a potent 400 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque (that’s 70 horses and 80 lb.-ft. of torque more than the current 3.7-liter V6). The Q60 will also boast Infiniti’s new Dynamic Digital Suspension system, the second-generation Direct Adaptive Steering digital steering system and the Drive Mode Selector (which features six settings). Together, the three technologies promise to offer the Q60 superb handling (and ride comfort), excellent driver feedback, agility and overall adaptability at the driver’s fingertips.

Infiniti

This morning, Honda returned Nissan’s serve with its Acura Precision Concept. Penned by design chief Dave Marek, the Precision Concept was built to show off Acura’s upcoming invigorated design language — something desperately needed from the most aesthetically tepid brand of the three. While Acura makes highly dependable, efficient, well-appointed cars, its line-up is about as exciting as wet socks. The Precision Concept is at least a step in the right direction, and when paired with the upcoming NSX supercar it will finally offer enthusiasts something to goose their adrenaline.

Acura

Developed by the Acura Design Studio in California to express what the brand is dubbing “precision crafted performance,” the aptly named Precision Concept features a long hood, ultra-low stance, dominating 22” wheels and a four-door coupe silhouette. It has deeply sculpted, angular, Transformer-like character lines and dazzling lighting elements (jewel constellation LED headlights, floating LED taillights and a high-mounted, architectural stoplight). The car features a futuristic interior loaded with cantilevered surfaces as well as the debut of the new Diamond Pentagon grille — a gaping maw front fascia that has become de rigueur in the automotive space.

Expect to see more restrained interpretations of the Diamond Pentagon grille in future Acura sedans; don’t expect the 22” wheels and cantilevered interior.

The most exciting of the trio, however, is Lexus’ drool-worthy LC 500 production car. The luxury coupe is the direct result of Akio Toyoda's (Toyota's leader) mandate to get the design and engineering teams to “embrace heightened collaboration” in order to achieve a vehicle of truly exceptional status. That level of dedication and collaboration was necessary for the LC to so closely reflect the key design elements, proportions and dynamic flow of its inspiration: the gorgeous LF-LC Concept that Lexus debuted at the 2012 NAIAS.

Lexus

“Design and engineering worked together on issues and obstacles that were overcome one by one,” explains Koji Sato, chief engineer of the LC task. “I feel that we achieved something greater than simply preserving the spirit of the concept’s design.” Tadao Mori, chief designer of the LC 500, echoes the sentiment: “This project was one of the first times that designers were closely involved in the dynamic engineering development so we could understand the driving goals, and support them with the car’s design.”

Technically, the LC’s biggest revelation is its all-new platform, which will be the blueprint for all of Lexus’ future front-engine/RWD vehicles. Using copious amounts of high-strength steel, the LC boasts the stiffest unibody Lexus has ever produced — even more torsionally rigid than the carbon fiber-boned, $400,000 LFA supercar.

Beating under the hood of the LC is the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 that we gushed over while tearing up the Monticello Motor Club in the RC-F. One of the last V8’s produced without forced induction, the engine not only offers a euphonic exhaust note but also a buttery smooth throttle response. Your heart, soul and ears will enjoy all 467 angry horses and 389 lb.-ft. of torque from the high-revving V8. Mated to the first 10-speed automatic transmission in the luxury segment, the LC 500 promises to launch from 0 to 60 mph in under 4.5 seconds.

Own The Conversation

Ask The Big Question

Have the Japanese luxury marques closed the gap with Germany’s holy trinity of sports coupes — the BMW 4-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe and Audi A5/S5?

Disrupt Your Feed

All three coupes will move the emotional needle for their respective brands, adding some much needed excitement to their lineups… even if they’ll mostly be used as showroom posters to sell sensible sedans and crossover SUVs, that is.

Drop This Fact

Lexus engineers designed the layout of the LC 500 so the driver’s hip point would sit as close as possible to the coupe’s center of gravity. At this fulcrum, the driver receives the most feedback from the vehicle —the optimal seating position for performance driving.

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